RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,163440,00.html "Defense officials are alarmed by the very real prospect that Congress this year will enact the robust GI Bill education plan designed by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.). One Defense official, who declined to be named, described the bill as a "retention killer" for the all-volunteer military."
Good to see my Congressional delegation from Virginia leading the way on this issue. While retention is an important issue, I think Webb is right in that this will attract more people than it will drive out.
My feelings are that anything that promotes good educational prospects should be applauded rather than put down. When I went into the Navy I was told we were covered by the Viet Nam era GI bill but we were lied to. Out came VEAP and all the other so called programs but through my own stupidity I never checked to see if I was covered or was qualified, never again! This is to all the "Defense Contractors", mind your own business and if you do not like the fact people are trying to get out of going to a war multiple times then go yourselves and deal with it, period!!!!!
This is a GREAT G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS! I can't believe the military wants to fight it. That's like saying to the veterans, you just aren't worth it. Shame on the defense department for standing against this bill... Respectfully, SUNLINER81
Every "major" player on Capitol Hill including John Warner, himself a Veteran, are for this.
But because some "anonymous" Defense Dept. person says it is a bad thing?
Webb is a good man, trying to do a good thing for ALL Veterans, trying to restore pride and a sense of accomplishment to Veterans who have laid their lives on the line for 4 years, or more.
I applaud Senators Webb and Warner. Providing quality education opportunities coupled with military service experience... what could be better for America? I would rather the proposal did not detail allowance compensation categories e.g. living expenses. I would prefer that a fixed amount be determined which could be applied to tuition, books, living expenses and so on, at the Veteran's discretion. This is how I remember it worked when I was discharged in 1974.
I would also like to see more involvement on Veterans behalf at the State level. I don't know if programs similar to the one I used are still available, but as a veteran I was able to attend a State College tuition free. I used my monthly GI Bill allowance for books and living expenses. As the article indicates, private institutions should also consider offering reduced tuition to veterans.
I wish they made this available back in the late 90's when I left the Marine Corps... I received a small 400 a month for the 1st year/year and a half I was in school. That didn't even cover tuition and books...
I ended up having to take loans to make up for what the GI Bill didn't cover.
"No one disputes Webb's claim that his enhanced GI Bill would boost recruiting sharply. But a Defense official said it also would encourage thousands of young service members, trained at great expense, to separate after completing their initial service obligation to attend college fulltime."
I thought I had heard it all, boy was I wrong. This is the first time sence I've been old enough to vote that DoD has attacked a bill that acually support the troops. The first time a bill is attacked because it's good. With the mentality of the DoD and this Administration, you might as well start a draft(sarcasm intended). Let me make sure I got this correct, They(DoD) don't want them to get out(ETS/retire)and for the ones that do, they(DoD) don't want them to get an education either. If this is DoD's and this Administration Idea of support, I wouldn't want it. The troops earned it....sign the damn bill.
If they pass this bill, they need to raise recruiting standards to what they use to be. I'm sure a bill like this will bring up a lot of turds. However the troops need this bill and it's only just. So when this bill is signed, does the Military need to toughen up boot even further to weed out the turds?
Originally posted by FortesFortunaJuvat: If they pass this bill, they need to raise recruiting standards to what they use to be. I'm sure a bill like this will bring up a lot of turds. However the troops need this bill and it's only just. So when this bill is signed, does the Military need to toughen up boot even further to weed out the turds?
I hope so, or perhaps not lower their standards anymore so that the dolts won't need to apply...?
Originally posted by bwf27: RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,163440,00.html "Defense officials are alarmed by the very real prospect that Congress this year will enact the robust GI Bill education plan designed by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.). One Defense official, who declined to be named, described the bill as a "retention killer" for the all-volunteer military."
I cannot believe that anyone would think better Veterans Benefits would hurt retention. Indeed I think it would not only help retention, but also help recruitment. Military personnel and veterans deserve the best America can offer them. Senator Webb and Warner make me proud to be a Virginian.
Originally posted by SUNLINER81: This is a GREAT G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS! I can't believe the military wants to fight it. That's like saying to the veterans, you just aren't worth it. Shame on the defense department for standing against this bill... Respectfully, SUNLINER81
I can believe it, Sun: it's the pinheaded bureaucrats in the Pentagon who worry their little heads off. It might in fact hurt retention (which I am not convinced of), but that would be a good thing. Why? It would push the military into making itself more attractive to the first-termers. Perhaps they would get rid of some of those micro-managing bozos that we all used to work for, who helped drive many of our comrades out.
I suspect, though, that the reality is that retention would not be hurt at all. "Lifers" are a different breed from those who come and go quickly, and the career folks would probably stay regardless. In any case, they would still get those same benefits, plus a host of others.
Originally posted by SUNLINER81: This is a GREAT G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS! I can't believe the military wants to fight it. That's like saying to the veterans, you just aren't worth it. Shame on the defense department for standing against this bill... Respectfully, SUNLINER81
Originally posted by Weatherguesser: Every "major" player on Capitol Hill including John Warner, himself a Veteran, are for this.
But because some "anonymous" Defense Dept. person says it is a bad thing?
Webb is a good man, trying to do a good thing for ALL Veterans, trying to restore pride and a sense of accomplishment to Veterans who have laid their lives on the line for 4 years, or more.
Originally posted by cleaneduphippy: I cannot believe that anyone would think better Veterans Benefits would hurt retention. Indeed I think it would not only help retention, but also help recruitment. Military personnel and veterans deserve the best America can offer them. Senator Webb and Warner make me proud to be a Virginian.
Ok so are they talking about giving the same college benefits for active and reserve personnel? I remember this being talked about at one point. If anything if that were to happen, active numbers might suffer a tad
While this sounds like a good idea up front, what other benefits will DOD cut to pay for this one. This would hurt those that would make the military a career since their benefits would be have to be cut to save money to pay for this program. I'm sure supporters aren't providing extra money to pay for this. Of course, there's always taxes. Look at medical costs(which was originally free) going up every year. DOD proposes massive increases every year saying it's too generous and doesn't keep up with the civilian factor. Those retirement benefits were originally a recruiting tool now they aren't even mentioned because they are slowing diminishing. Everthing for now, nothing for later. Another three PPP idea.
Originally posted by JohnPritchette: My feelings are that anything that promotes good educational prospects should be applauded rather than put down. When I went into the Navy I was told we were covered by the Viet Nam era GI bill but we were lied to. Out came VEAP and all the other so called programs but through my own stupidity I never checked to see if I was covered or was qualified, never again! This is to all the "Defense Contractors", mind your own business and if you do not like the fact people are trying to get out of going to a war multiple times then go yourselves and deal with it, period!!!!!
My question to you is what does being a Defense Contractor have to do with this????? I am a Defense Contractor after retiring from 23 years in the Army. I have also been shot at in several different holes throughout my career. I resent your statement and it is probably a good thing that we are not close to each other right now.
Originally posted by Weatherguesser: Every "major" player on Capitol Hill including John Warner, himself a Veteran, are for this.
But because some "anonymous" Defense Dept. person says it is a bad thing?
Webb is a good man, trying to do a good thing for ALL Veterans, trying to restore pride and a sense of accomplishment to Veterans who have laid their lives on the line for 4 years, or more.
